The third session of the Azerbaijan-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission was held in Hanoi

The 3rd session of the Azerbaijan-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission on economic-trade and scientific-technical cooperation was held in Hanoi. The meeting was held by between Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov. At the meeting, discussions were held on topical issues on the agenda of cooperation between the two countries.

At the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, held with the participation of both countries’ delegations, the co-chairs – Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov and Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam Nguyen Hong Dien – delivered speeches.

It was emphasized that the relations between Azerbaijan and Vietnam, which were established with President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Baku in 1959 and the National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s visit to Hanoi in 1983, have entered a new stage following the official state visit of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr. To Lam, to Azerbaijan in May this year. Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said that the Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership and the documents signed during this visit serve as a roadmap for the development of multilateral cooperation between the two countries. It is no coincidence that the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev assessed this visit as an event of great political importance, and the Joint Statement as a very serious political document. "The Intergovernmental Commission has been tasked with transforming the provisions of this Declaration into practical projects, revitalizing and expanding trade and economic cooperation, increasing trade turnover and mutual investments. To this end, a document titled Areas of Cooperation covering 58 measures across 17 priority areas for the years 2025–2027 has been prepared. As strategic partners, Azerbaijan and Vietnam are determined to achieve significant success in all these areas in the coming years," the Minister added.

Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated: “Our political and diplomatic relations are stable, and our cooperation in the field of energy is of strategic nature. There is a strong political will and firm support at the leadership level to deepen this cooperation. Vietnam, the third-largest economy in Southeast Asia with a population of 115 million and access to a 600-million-person market through free trade agreements, offers great opportunities for partnership.”

The meeting reviewed the current state of relations in the fields of politics, trade, investment, energy, transport, small and medium enterprises, tourism, agriculture, defense industry, culture, education, and others. It was noted that trade turnover increased by 5.4% in the first five months this year, reaching 58.4 million USD, which reflects a positive dynamic in the cooperation. It was also emphasized that joint efforts will contribute to further increasing this figure and mutual investments. Regarding energy cooperation, it was stated that SOCAR Trading is one of the leading spot suppliers in the Vietnamese market and participates in the supply of crude oil and the international sale of Vietnamese oil—key directions in this field It was also noted that the Memoranda of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Energy, SOCAR, and relevant Vietnamese partners, as well as the renewable energy partnership document signed with ROX Group, will further strengthen energy cooperation.

The importance of cooperation in the field of transport and logistics to support industrial growth and export potential was highlighted. It was stated that cooperation within the Middle Corridor, North–South, and East–West transport corridors will ensure efficient use of both countries’ transit capacities. Last year, Silk Way Airlines opened a representative office in Vietnam, and direct cargo flights are expected to commence soon. Passenger flights on the Baku–Hanoi route are included in Azerbaijan Airlines’ development plans.

It was mentioned that there is significant potential for cooperation in the fields of defense industry and agriculture. A growing dynamic in cultural and humanitarian cooperation was also observed. Cultural and charitable events held during the visit of the Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, to Vietnam in April this year are a clear example of mutual interest in this area. The Vietnam Days event, to be organized in Azerbaijan next week, will contribute to the expansion of cultural ties.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the Protocol of the 3rd session of the Intergovernmental Commission and the adoption of the Action Plan for 2025–2027.